I hate the braves but nice to see cammie land on a decent team. http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2001/0705/1222827.html ATLANTA -- Ken Caminiti will join the Atlanta Braves on Friday and serve as the club's designated hitter in Boston this weekend. How much he will play after the All-Star break remains unclear. The 38-year-old third baseman, released this week by the Texas Rangers, agreed to a contract Thursday with the Braves. Manager Bobby Cox immediately dismissed the notion that Caminiti will take over at third, with All-Star Chipper Jones moving to left field. "Oh, no," Cox said. "No, no." Cox indicated Jones is unlikely to see even spot duty in the outfield. Cox envisions a variety of roles for Caminiti. "Off the bench sometimes, maybe play first, play a little third, give Chipper a rest," Cox said. "Then we'll just see. We're going to play this thing by ear." Jones, who committed 25 errors last year, has 11 miscues in the field this season. The 1999 NL MVP has taken outfield periodically during batting practice the last three weeks. Jones was not available for comment before the game. Caminiti won Gold Gloves in 1995-97 for the San Diego Padres. "I don't know what Bobby's plans are," Atlanta general manager John Schuerholz said. "Chipper has indicated time and time again he would be willing to change positions again." The 38-year-old Caminiti hit .232 with nine homers and 25 RBI in 54 games for the Rangers this season. He struck out 41 times in 185 at-bats and committed nine errors. The switch hitter has a career average of .273 with 233 homers and 967 RBI. He was the 1996 NL MVP, batting .326 with 40 homers and 130 RBI for San Diego. Caminiti's contract with Texas called for $3 million in base salary and $750,000 in incentives. The Braves will pay him a prorated portion of the major league minimum. Schuerholz indicated Caminiti is suffering no negative effects from a substance abuse problem that landed him in a treatment center last September. "The guy has been a great hitter in the past and a real tough competitor," Schuerholz said. "He's one more guy who can swing a bat. I'm sure Bobby will find a way to get him in some place in the lineup." Caminiti, who began his career with Houston and started at third for the Astros from 1989-94, returned to his old team last year as a free agent. Hitting .303 with 15 homers and 45 RBI, Caminiti appeared in only 59 games, his career low in a full season. He was sidelined after June 15 following surgery to repair a ruptured tendon sheath in his right wrist. At the time, he said he would return by Sept. 1, but he never made it back, later confessing that he had suffered a relapse of alcohol abuse. Pitcher Matt Whiteside, on the disabled list with a broken bone in his right hand, will be released by the Braves to make room on their 40-man roster. A move to create room on Atlanta's 25-man roster will be announced Friday. ------------------
Doesn't Cammy have issues with Chipper Jones?!? I thought I heard him call Chipper out one time. ------------------
I think I just heard the Braves announcer say Caminiti went 3 for 4 before he was pinch hit for in the 9th inning. I'm too lazy to look that up, but a good start for Cammy. He was playing first base tonight. ------------------ Dream On!
zzzzzzzzzz.... zzzzzzzzzz.... zzzzzzzzzz.... huh? what?? oh...I told you..only wake me up when Caminiti's presence on a team means something this year. ------------------
Good call. Caminiti is the only guy I know that is day-to-day when he's healthy. He will probably will be on the 15 day DL soon nursing a bruised tailbone. ------------------ the best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be.
